$1.4 Billion To Fight Crime Is Goal Of Sales Tax Bill

LEGISLATURE '92 - LEGISLATURE ROUNDUP

TALLAHASSEE — Floridians would get a chance to increase their taxes by $1.4 billion a year to fight crime under a proposed constitutional amendment that cleared a Senate committee Tuesday.

The proposal, which has been kicking around the Legislature for several years, would raise the state sales tax from 6 to 7 cents on the dollar to pay for more prisons, jails, prosecutors, judges and other criminal justice needs.

The Corrections, Probation and Parole Committee voted 4-1 for the measure (SJR 870) with Sen. Richard Crotty, R-Orlando, in opposition. It next goes to the Finance, Taxation and Claims Committee.